The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-30
BERDAN sHARPsHoOTERs.
Letter From Gsa. Bsrizn in Regard TO Their
Mont meat.


HonUneat.
Gen. Rerlan, the gallant leader under whose
command the Berdan Sharpshooters won a
glorious reputation. has written the following
letter 70 Commander in-Chief Fairchild:
wAsHIsUToN, ID. c.. June IS, 1887.
DEAE GEs. FAIRCHu.D; 4 was glad To learn from
you that you are on the Commission appointed by
the Government OF the State OF Wisconsin to locate
the places where the Berdsn Sharpshooters were
engaged during the battle Of Gettysburg and agree
able To your request ] write Ia explain what the
other States doing in this direction.
The State of New York has proposed a plan by
which all the States that furnished Sharpshooters
for the corps can unite To erect monument on the
spot where the SharpshoO;ers. the 20 of July.
attacked the advancing columns OF the enemy in
order To gain time for placing troops In position
tn save the Round Tops and To prevent attack
on our faux and rear. IL Is about n mile west OF
the Peach Orchard, On the opposite strip of wood.
under cover OF which the enemy advanced. The
importance Of this attack il shown by Gen. Hoods
report. in which he said he thought he then was
about To realize tile dream OF his life that Of at
lacking flank and rear, which he knew from
his Texan scouts 10 he badly exposed"
The following extract. taken from the History ot
Capt w. Z. Humphrey, Assistant Adjuant- General
OF the State of Michigan also gives very good idea
of the Importance OF the attack: Gen. Berdan.
commanding a brigade Ia Birney's Division OBJ
tanned permission from Gen. SiCkles to make a
reconnaissance la front OF Little Round Top and
taking DO men from the LIST Ber,ian SharpshoOters
supported by 100 from the Sd Me-. he advanced.
lie found the enemy approaching in force. Sc
we're action took place, in which his command lost
over half it's NUMBER. The advance of the enemy
was greatly delayed by the desperate resistance 81
this handful of men. Gen. Berian and his brave
men deserve great credit for this check given to the
enemy, which saved Little Round Top 10 the Fed
erals"
The Government History Of the battle Of Getty,-
burg NOW ia the hands of the prnter) gives an ac
count of this attack more IN detail. with special
mention for "a liant aud meTltOrious services"
The State OF New York has already appropriated
= so toward this proposed monument, deduc;ins
from this amount only small for slabs to
mark the places where the New York companies
were engaged during the entire battle. IL Is pro-
posed to make the monument octagonal. AZ the
corps recruited from eight different States thi.
VIII give to each State place for her Coat Of Arm.
with suitable Inscription. ! should add thai
Michigan and some of the other States have also
taken steps toward sppruprAting their proportion
for this general monument, and the distinguished
services Of Co. q. recruited in your State are toe
well known not to be represented there.
Therefore, beg. General. you will do all in youI
power TO assist in erecting this Just and natural
tribute Ia the memory OF these brave men who $40
rfced their lives. At this admitted turning point
OF the battle Of Gettysburg and, therefore, of the
rebellion.
I am. General. with great respect and esteem
very sincerely yours, III. BERDAs.
If ever the achievements Of any body o.
troops upon the field Of battle deserved recog
milton by monument, this distinction is GER
tainly due the gallant little band of Sharp
shooters under Gen. Berdan's personal com
hiand which, on the forenoon OF the second
day 1T Gettysburg, dashed against Longstreetl
massed columns and held him there for AT
hour and 20 minutes. There is nothing finel
Ia the history Of the war than this gallant self
sacrifice. by which the Round Tops were saved
to Us. The famous charge Of the British cav
airy at Bslaklava was not more daring. nor il
losses greater, while, as 10 results and the sol
dierly character Of the movement. there is M
comparison between the foolhsrdy charge o
the Light Brigade and the splendidly conceivet
blow delivered by the Sharpshooters.